Life-long Connection with liberal faith communities as a Unitarian Universalist:

I am not a late-in-life Unitarian Universalist convert. I grew up at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring where my father joined December 6, 1987, when I was 4 years old. I was also married there and continue to maintain my connection with the community. Currently I am a member of Paint Branch UU Church (PBUUC).

8th Principle Leadership:

I bring anti-racism and anti-oppression expertise to the table. I have been a dedicated student in the 8th Principle Learning Community since December 2019. Since then, I have attended Jubilee and New Day Rising anti-racism trainings. I am an advocate for the 8th Principle at Paint Branch UU where I’ve taught Adult Faith Development Classes and given sermons on 8th Principle topics. I led the strategy of the successful passing of the principle at the congregation.

Preaching Excellence:

You can be sure of an insightful and moving sermon and transformative worship service. I am an Award-winning preacher as affirmed by Meadville Lombard Theological School. In 2022, I was the recipient of The Charles Billings Prize in Preaching, which is given to one graduating student a year for excellence in preaching.

Bring Diversity to the Pulpit:

I bring my sociological perspective and lived experience as pansexual millennial, Black woman. As a clinical sociologist with a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and work experience in inclusive workplace culture, I bring radical welcome and anti-oppression to the forefront from the lens of spiritual leadership. Prior to seminary, I supported diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategies within the federal government. I am a 2021 recipient of the UU Federation of Women Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley Scholarship Unitarian Universalist faith leaders, aspirants or ministerial candidates who identify as BIPOC women.

Expert Facilitating Instructor:

I’m a professor, serving as adjunct faculty in sociology at a college in Maryland. Prior to this I taught for 5 years at two other institutes of higher education in their general education and business departments. I began learning formal facilitation skills in 2004 while attending Johns Hopkins University where I earned a Master of Science in Strategic Human Resources and Organizational Development. I help facilitate career development through a spiritual career direction program offered through Innovative Spirit. I have also completed the UUA Adult Faith Formation Renaissance Module in 2022. I am a trained facilitator of the SACReD (Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity) curriculum where I support faith-based culture change to empower congregations to become loving, justice-seeking faith communities that fully support the fulfillment of reproductive moral agency and flourishing for all. Additionally, I am available for Young Adult and Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) facilitation. Our Whole Lives is a lifespan sexuality education curriculum that helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health and behavior.

Administrative Leadership:

I’m a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) with over 20 years of expertise in organizational effectiveness, overseeing learning strategy, and change management. Through Innovative Spirit I offer human resources support for small liberal faith communities. I have also hired, fired, supervised others, participated in employment hearings, and served as a career services consultant. I am also a former Chief Learning Officer where I oversaw employee and leadership development for over 3,000 federal employees. Currently, I serve as the Director of Human Resources at a liberal, faith-based non-profit. I bring this knowledge with me while facilitating congregational staff training.

Lay and Spiritual Leadership:

I’ve served in various lay leadership roles, and I bring this perspective to lay leadership development. I have served on the board of trustees, multigenerational religious experience committee, as a YRUU youth advisor, worship associate, and diversity and anti-racism task force co-chair, and coffee committee. I have facilitated sessions and served as opening speaker for a UU women’s retreat. Additionally, I’ve created, participated in, and managed various leadership programs during my time as a federal employee. I have contributed a poem and reading to two Skinner House Books anthologies: the 2021 inSpirit “Shelter in Place” and the BLUU Meditation Manual. I completed my seminary internship at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, D.C. as their first A. Powell Davies intern where I focused on adult spiritual development, social justice, and worship arts. I am also a member of The Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries (UUSCM). Finally, I earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Meadville Lombard Theological School.

Original Music:

When you book me for my latest tour or for an enrichment residency, I have original, prerecorded contemporary liberal faith music (videos) I can offer for worship and other events. Since I own the music, it saves time in securing permissions and provides a unique musical experience that relates to the theme.